In the past month my confidence has soared fishing dries for native brook and wild brown trout. I have done real well fishing over rising fish or not. I have to agree with the above post - most of mine were taken on stimulators or Elk Hair Caddis (two very effective patterns that float like a cork and are easy to dress and keep on top).

As far as low priced fly rods, I totally agree with Jeremy. The Cabelas Three Forks rod is a really good deal. I purchased an 9' 8wt Three Forks early this year. I upgraded a bit on the reel and turned my sci-anglers magnum taper line into a real brownliner this summer. I have horsed around some pretty big carp with it and it has preformed great! I love the rod. I think I paid $59 for it.

I bought a Cabela's Three Forks outfit for $100ish a few weeks ago after snapping the tip on my other rod and not being able to wait for the replacement tip to ship. Now here it is a month or whatever later and I'm still happily using the Three Forks. I haven't even ordered the tip yet because I'm content using the Three Forks.

I'm new myself and don't really know anything, but I've had good luck with sulphurs. I've also been using hoppers lately and have done ok with them.